Happy Birthday, Martin Luther King Jr. (Scholastic Bookshelf) [Paperback]

Jean Marzollo (Author), J. Pinkney (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up | Series: Scholastic Bookshelf

Let the Scholastic Bookshelf be your guide through the whole range of your child's experiences: laugh with them, learn with them, read with them!
Sixteen best-selling titles available now!

Category: Biography

This book is beautifully-rendered study of Martin Luther King Jr.'s life, told in simple, straightforward language for even the youngest of readers to understand. Pinkney's scratchboard and oil pastel illustrations convey both the strength and gentleness of King's character. Both text and art carry his central message of peace and brotherhood among all people.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

"Accessible language" combines with "stunning, exquisitely shaded illustrations," said PW of this picture-book biography of the civil rights leader. Ages 4-8. (Jan.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2-- An eloquent and powerful introduction to the life and death of Martin Luther King, Jr. This simplified summation leaves out most of the details, while bringing the essence of his life and work to young readers. A foreword offers options for softening the facts surrounding his murder for preschoolers. Pinkney's scratchboard and oil pastel illustrations convey both the strength and gentleness of King's character. Both text and art carry his central message of peace and brotherhood among all people. This is a good choice for reading aloud. Adler's Picture Book of Martin Luther King, Jr. (Holiday, 1989) covers the same material with more detail. --Eunice Weech, M. L. King Elementary School, Urbana, IL
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Paperbacks (January 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0439782244
• ISBN-13: 978-0439782241
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 8 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #115,518 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #20 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > People, A-Z > ( K ) > King, Martin Luther
  • #22 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Biographies > Religious
  • #40 in Books > Children's Books > Biographies > Religious

More About the Author

Jean Marzollo was born and raised in Manchester, Connecticut.

She says, "As a child, I loved to read and sew dolls' clothes, one outfit after another. I am a graduate of Manchester High School, the University of Connecticut, and the Harvard Graduate School of Education. After working as a high school English teacher and editor of Scholastic's "Let's Find Out" kindergarten magazine with Carol Devine Carson for 20 years, I began writing children's books. I have written over 130 books, including the award-winning, best-selling I SPY series for children, written completely in rhythm and rhyme. Rhythm and rhyme are like music without the tune; they lure and excite the ear. Children love rhythm and rhyme, and so do I. Do you know that I SPY actually has the same rhythm as "Old Mother Hubbard" and also rap? I treasure the beautiful, intricate photographs by Walter Wick in the I SPY books. When I wrote the first I SPY book, I automatically thought of kindergarten children so everything that I called for was concrete, something a 5-year-old can find. The result is a hunting game that children and grownups can play together successfully. Sometimes children are better than their parents! In recent years I took up painting and have begun to illustrate my own "books on paper" and "books online." You can see them on my website: jeanmarzollo.com. Writing and illustrating picture books today is as much fun as sewing dolls' clothes was when I was in third grade. As soon as I'm done with one book, I'm happily compelled to start the next."

Jean Marzollo lives in Upstate New York.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A gentle tribute to a giant., January 9, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Happy Birthday, Martin Luther King (Paperback)

As an elementary school librarian I liked this book because it can be read and appreciated by children from first grade to fifth grade. It has a simple, gentle approach to Dr. King's life from his birth to his death. The students love the "scratchboard" method that the illustrator used for the beautiful artwork. Jeanne Feeney

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars First Grade Teachers......A book for you!, January 21, 2000

By 

"adogwillloveyouforever" (Guymon, Oklahoma USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Happy Birthday Martin Luther King (Scholastic Hardcover) (Hardcover)

I've been searching for a short read about Martin Luther King, Jr. that would excite my first grade students and keep them focused on the background of this great American. The illustrations are lovely and the size of the book is perfect for classroom storytime.

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a very good book about a very good man., January 14, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Happy Birthday Martin Luther King (Scholastic Hardcover) (Hardcover)

I am a fifth grader at North Hills Traditional Academy.

I like this book because it tells how Martin Luther King grew up. And it was sweet how he grew up.

I like the book because the pictures are colorful and the story is sweet.

The thing I really like about the book is that it tells sweet things about his personal life, not just his public life.

Mostly, I really like it because it tells how he grew up and about his friendship with a little white boy.

It's really clever because it shows what Martin Luther King was like when he was young.

It's a great book. I think you should read it. And I know that you will enjoy it.